SENATORS 2, DEVILS 0
The Ottawa Senators started off their stay in Quebec City on a high note.
Rookie centre Stephen Halliday scored the third-period winner as the Senators picked up their second victory of the pre-season with a 2-0 decision over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday afternoon at the Centre Videotron.
Veteran goaltender Linus Ullmark, making his first full appearance of the pre-season, stopped 14 shots to start the two-game series in Quebec that will wrap up on Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.
LINUS GOES ALL THE WAY
Ullmark told reporters a week ago he wasn’t pleased with his game after giving up three goals on eight shots against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
If the Senators are going to make the playoffs, they need Ullmark on top of his game. His four-year, $33-million U.S. deal that pays him $8.25 million kicks in this year.
This wasn’t exactly a goaltending duel even though the two teams were scoreless going to the third. Ottawa played well defensively in front Ullmark, but he did a good job on a 5-on-3 early in the second.
The shutout is a good sign for Ullmark and a step in the right direction. He will likely play one more exhibition game before the puck is dropped for real so this effort should give him confidence.
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk shoots over New Jersey Devils goalie Georgi Romanov’s net during second-period action at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The Senators’ Tim Stutzle, behind, looks on.
WHERE’S THE SCORING?
A lot has been made of the club’s decision not to address its ability to score 5-on-5 by bringing in a top-six forward.
The Senators registered 32 shots.
The Senators didn’t have a full complement of players, but they did have eight of the club’s top 12 forwards dressed. It took until the third period for Halliday to break the scoreless tie.
Centre Tim Stutzle had the puck pushed off his stick by a Devils defender and it went straight to Halliday in the slot. He made no mistake by going top shelf with four minutes left to the give the club a 1-0 lead.
That was all the club needed to win, but the Senators will have to do a better job capitalizing on their chances this season.
Stutzle had a penalty shot at 8:44 of the second when he was taken down on a breakaway. Goaltender Georgi Romanov made the stop, but Stutzle didn’t give much of a challenge.
BOYS ON THE BUBBLE
The Senators still have 31 players in camp, which means they have at least eight roster decisions to make before next Monday at 5 p.m.
Green opted to give several players on the bubble a chance in this one.
Forwards Arthur Kaliyev, Olle Lycksell, Zack MacEwen and Halliday all dressed for the Senators. Depending on the health of centre Lars Elle and winger Drake Batherson, only two of those four players will likely be here.
The Ottawa Senators’ Thomas Chabot falls back while fighting for a puck with the New Jersey Devils’ Cody Glass (12), Paul Cotter (47) and Dawson Mercer (91) during the second period.
If Eller isn’t ready, then the expectation is Halliday will start the year with Ottawa, but Lycksell has pushed for a spot in camp. He suited up for his third straight pre-season game on Sunday.
Lycksell didn’t hurt his chances by salting this one away into an empty net. It should also be noted he was given the confidence by Green to be out there protecting a one-goal lead late in the game.
Kaliyev has also played all three games and has a chance be the club’s 13th forward coming out of camp. The Senators will likely carry 23 players to start the year if Eller continues to progress.
It’s notable that twice in the pre-season Green has dressed Ridly Greig as a centre. He will likely be a winger on the third line with Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio, but Greig has looked good in the middle.
FRUSTRATION FOR FANS
The Senators went to Quebec City because they wanted to help build a footprint in the marketplace.
Unfortunately, the game wasn’t shown locally, and was only picked up by TVA Sports2 in Quebec. The club did stream the game on its website with no sound, but adding to the frustration was the fact that TSN 1200 had technical issues and couldn’t broadcast the game.
That meant the game had no sound, which led to negative comments towards the Senators on social media.
“Unfortunately due to technical difficulties in Quebec City we will not be airing today’s Sens game on TSN 1200,” TSN 1200 posted on X. “We will be back with you Tuesday night when the Sens take on the Habs.”
That game will also be shown locally on TSN5.
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